Rebel (A Rihanna and Eazy E Love Story)

All Good, Until It Ain't (Chapter 10)

The grand lecture hall is filled with rows of students, heads bent in deep concentration, the hum of nervous energy palpable. The invigilator hands out the exam booklets and answer booklets and the shuffle of papers fill the air, followed by the unmistakable tension as everyone flips them open. A clock on the wall ticks away steadily, a reminder of the time slipping by, but all you can hear is the frantic scribble of pens on paper. I'm trying to focus, fighting off distractions as I read the first question, heart racing, but trying to settle into the zone. 

What is the role of Sulphic Acid in Nitration?

I sifted through my memory, trying to recall anything I'd read, seen, or heard about sulfuric acid. The answer surfaced, without sulfuric acid, nitric acid alone wouldn't produce enough nitronium ions to drive the nitration process efficiently.

I picked up my pen and wrote in the answer booklet:

Sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst in the nitration reaction. It protonates nitric acid to produce the nitronium ion, which is the active electrophile that attacks the benzene ring.

I moved on to the next questions, which required me to balance chemical equations, discuss the pros and cons of reducing agents, and explain the mechanisms for modifying reaction pathways. Before I knew it, two hours had flown by.

"Candidates, stop writing and put down your pens. It's now 3:30 PM. My fellow invigilators will go down each row to collect your exam booklets along with the answer sheets," one of the invigilators announced.

I handed the booklets to the invigilator, grabbed my pen, and made my way out of the exam hall.

As I reached the exit of the Grand Lecture Hall, I spotted Lisa's red Jeep Wrangler pulling up.

"Bitch, school's out! We finna get fucked up tonight!" her loud ass hollered out the window. I laughed at her crazy ass, always down for a good time.

Organic Chemistry had been my final exam before summer break, and I was more than ready to unwind. I hopped into the passenger seat, and she sped off campus.

Lisa cranked up the music as we zoomed through the city streets, windows down, the warm breeze whipping through our hair.

"So what's the move tonight?" I asked, leaning back in the seat, finally feeling the weight of exams lifting off my shoulders.

"We hittin' up The Tunnel. Remember that party that I told you about months ago, it's tonight. I nodded. You know, drinks, music, a bunch of fly niggas. It's gonna be hyped," Lisa said with a grin.

I smirked, feeling a rush of excitement. "Aight, bet. I could use a few drinks and some fun."

Lisa glanced at me with a knowing look. "Girl, you look like you've been buried in books for weeks. You need this!"

We pulled up to her shop first so we could do our hair. I stepped out of the Jeep, already feeling the night ahead promising to be a wild one.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Lisa dropped me off so I could get ready. I headed straight to my closet, rummaging through options before settling on a cute, pink shimmery D&G mini dress. I paired it with YSL silver strappy heels, a silver lamé purse, matching silver accessories, and finished the look with silver cat-eye sunglasses.

My phone rang, and I saw it was my mother. 

"Hey mommy!" I greeted warmly.

"How was finals? I remembered that today was your last exam for second year"